SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. — A Scott County deputy
who was shot in the line of duty last week has “severe injuries that
are life changing,” and his legs are mostly paralyzed, according to
Sheriff Tony Hampton.

Hampton gave the update Monday in a press
conference regarding the status of Jamie Morales, who was shot while
Scott County deputies and Georgetown police officers were assisting U.S.
Marshals in apprehending 57-year-old Edward Reynolds of Florida.

Related article

Morales will remain in the ICU at University of Kentucky Chandler
Hospital until chest tubes are removed, and then will go to a spinal
rehabilitation facility.

Morales, a two-year veteran of the
sheriff’s department, had two surgeries in the first 24 hours he was at
University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, according to the sheriff.
After his second surgery, he opened his eyes and gave people two thumbs
up, according to WKYT, the Herald-Leader’s reporting partner.

Hampton told Morales Sunday that he will beat the odds and overcome his spinal injury.

“I
told him, ‘You’re a strong-willed man. If anybody can overcome this,
you can,’” Hampton said. “He works out five days a week, he’s
strong-willed. He runs in every 5K or has ran in every 5K possible that
he could. He’s a Marine, he’s a fighter, so we aren’t giving up
hope...none of us...have given up hope he can beat the odds and come out
of this.”

Morales “is being as positive as he can right now,” Hampton said Monday.

Donations
are being raised to help pay hospital bills for Morales, as well as
money for a handicapped-accessible vehicle. T-shirts are available at
the sheriff’s office for $15, with the proceeds going to Morales.

The sheriff’s department is sticking together as a family, according to Hampton.

“At
the end of the day, we still have a job to do and that’s serve this
community,” he said. “We won’t stop. We have to keep going.”

A GoFundMe account for donations to Morales will be available later Monday.

“Donations
are going to help a lot because Jamie is going to need a lot of
resources in the upcoming weeks, months to help with his upcoming
recovery,” Hampton said.

Post a commentName/Nickname:(required)Email Address: (must be a valid address)(will not be published or shared)Comments: (plain text only)